Spurs send Timberwolves to fifth straight lossBy Associated Press SAN ANTONIO — Marco Belinelli scored 20 points, Tim Duncan had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a 123-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. San Antonio had seven players in double figures, includingBy Associated Press SAN ANTONIO — Marco Belinelli scored 20 points, Tim Duncan had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to a 123-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. San Antonio had seven players in double figures, including 18 points each from Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph, and 17 from Boris Diaw. The Spurs (15-5) had a season-high 30 assists in winning their 10th in the past 11 games and fifth straight at home. Zach LaVine had 22 points and Shabazz Muhammad added 20 for Minnesota (4-15), which has lost five straight. Thaddeus Youngs 18-footer on the games opening possession gave the injury-depleted Timberwolves their only lead of the game. Playing the second night of a back-to-back without five injured players, including guards Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin and Mo Williams, Minnesota couldnt keep up with San Antonios flowing offence. Belinelli and Danny Green directed a balanced attack in place of Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, who were both out with mild ailments. After missing eight games earlier this season with a strained right groin, Belinelli is beginning to show the versatility that made him one the teams most valuable reserves during its run to a fifth NBA championship. With the Spurs leading 12-11, Belinelli sparked a 9-1 run with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. Belinelli had a step on a defender after cutting to the lane for a pass from Aron Baynes, but he gave up the layup to feed Diaw for a wide-open, 23-footer with 4 minutes left in the first quarter. Belinelli drove to the basket on the succeeding possession, faking a pass to open up the middle for layup and a 21-12 lead. TIP-INS Timberwolves: Minnesota is 1-11 this season in back-to-back games, having lost 10 straight after defeating Detroit on Oct. 30 on the second night of its first consecutive contests. . Glenn Robinson, the father of Minnesota F Glenn Robinson III, won an NBA championship in 2005 with the Spurs. . Minnesota has used 10 different starting lineups this season, and only one has a winning record. Young, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng, Williams and Martin won the only game they started collectively. Spurs: Ginobili (left shoulder) was a late scratch, joining Parker (strained left hamstring) on the bench. . San Antonio is 10-2 in back-to-back games this season. . The Spurs are 11-0 when they have 25-plus assists. They are sixth in the league in assists at 24.0 per game after leading the NBA last season at 25.2. . Baynes is averaging a career-best 7.3 points, fueled by his recent career-best streak of three straight games in double figures. . The Spurs are 6-1 when its bench scores at least 40 points. UP NEXT Timberwolves: Host Golden State on Monday. Spurs: Visit Utah on Tuesday ift.tt/1gB4pon
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 04:52:47 +0000
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